5 days ago
Officers from 10 DPSUs, private organisations join IIM-Vizag's defence MBA
Visakhapatnam: Amid India's push for increased defence production, IIM-Vizag has launched its novel and first-of-its-kind modular MBA programme for officers in the defence sector.
Approved by the dept of defence production under the ministry of defence, 37 officers from 10 defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs), Naval Armament Depot, and Geomarine Dynamics India Ltd have enrolled for the programme.
The 10 DPSUs include Yantra India Ltd, Troop Comforts Ltd, Munitions India Ltd, Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd, India Optel Ltd, Hindustan Shipyard Ltd, Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd, BEML Ltd, and Bharat Electronics Ltd.
Hindustan Shipyard Ltd CMD, Commodore Hemant Khatri (retd) said he has been noticing a profound shift in the mindset of Indians. "Previously, there might have been a sense of impossibility or hesitation. Now, however, there is a burgeoning confidence and self-belief, fostering an attitude of 'it is possible, and we can do it'. This fundamental change is evident in a newfound willingness to invest, experiment, and innovate – the driving force propelling India towards its future aspirations.
This conviction is crucial for the nation's continued progress," he said.
Explaining India's economic turnaround and its progress across various sectors, including railways, telecom, digital transactions, chip manufacturing, defence production, etc., Khatri said that today's youth are expected to be the leaders who will shape India in 2047. "This generation has the potential to propel the nation forward, transforming it into a developed country and fulfilling the aspirations of 1.4 billion people.
The mantle of leadership will rest on their shoulders. In 2014, India was ranked the 11th largest economy in the world and now it stands as the fourth largest economy. This is a testament to the innovative spirit of its people. I urge the participants to foster an innovative India, lead in research and development, and drive decisive, transformative progress," he added.
IIM-V director Prof M Chandrasekhar reflected on the personal significance of the programme.
"This programme is particularly nostalgic for me, as I fondly recall joining HAL in 1983 as a young trainee. I later moved to L&T. Defence sector experience, therefore, remains very dear to me, it is a solid foundation upon which I built my career. Today, India's defence sector is no longer merely tied to budget cycles or geopolitical events; it has become a strategic growth sector with sustained expansion.
Industry experts estimate India's defence capital outlay will grow by up to eight percent annually over the next five years, translating into defence procurement worth over $130 billion or approximately 11.1 lakh crore. A case in point is the performance of defence mutual funds and the Nifty India defence index, both of which have outpaced the broader market, reflecting strong investor trust and confidence in defence stocks," he said.
